WUNRN
Radio Free Europe
August
2, 2014 - In early March of this year, Russian prosecutors launched spot
inspections of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) across the country.
Hundreds of groups have already been targeted, from human rights NGOs to
environmental groups to health-care associations. Formally, prosecutors are
checking compliance with a new law forcing organizations that receive foreign funding
and are deemed to engage in "political activity" to register as
"foreign agents" -- a derogatory term that critics say aims to
stigmatize NGOs. Russian authorities say the legislation, which entered into
force in November 2012, aims at increasing the transparency and accountability
of NGOs. But the audits have drawn international condemnation and raised fears
of an unprecedented crackdown on civil society. The number of NGOs subjected to
such inspections is difficult to assess due to the absence of an official
registry. Most are still waiting for the inspection findings. RFE/RL is closely
monitoring developments and will regularly update this chart and map.
EXAMPLES
OFFICIAL
NOTICES OF VIOLATIONS (15 cases)
*Center For Social Policy and Gender Studies (Saratov)
The notice, dated April 24, says the center's events and publications seek
to influence public opinion and therefore amount to "political
activity."
*Information
and Human Rights Center (Yekaterinburg)
The group
received a notice dated April 26 describing its awareness-raising activities as
"political." The center, in particular, conducted a roundtable last
year on the rights of conscripts and servicemen, and issued a set of
recommendation to the Defense Ministry.
*Women of the Don (Novocherkassk)
According to the notice, dated April 29, the organization carried out
activities "aimed at shaping public opinion and influencing
decision-making" and "expressed negative attitudes regarding the
activities of state authorities." The group has advocated prison and
police reforms.
______________________________________________________________________________________
WARNING
ON THE INADMISSIBILITY OF VIOLATIONS (40+ cases)
These
organizations were formally warned of the need to register as "foreign
agents" if they plan to engage in "political activity" and
receive foreign funding in the future.
*Committee of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia, Kostroma
branch (Kostroma)
The warning, dated
April 16, says some of the provision in the group's statute
related to "political activity." The committee combats rights abuses
in the army.
*Transparency
International Russia (Moscow)
The warning, dated April 26, says the organization seeks
to shape public opinion on state policies, particularly on law enforcement and
the legislative process.
*Center
for Independent Sociological Research (St. Petersburg)
Warning
dated April 26.
*Center for Independent Social Research and Education (Irkutsk)
Warning dated April 26.
......................................................................................................................................................
ADMINISTRATIVE
CASES (seven cases)
Organizations
can be fined up to 500,000 rubles ($15,500) if a court finds them guilty of
failing to register as "foreign agents." Their directors face fines
of up to 300,000 rubles ($9,300).
*Golos Association
of NGOs in Defense of Voters' Rights (Moscow)
The group was fined 300,000 rubles for failing to register as a "foreign
agent." Golos director Lilia Shibanova was also personally fined 100,000
rubles ($3,100). The Justice Ministry said the group's advocacy for the
adoption of a unified Electoral Code to raise transparency in elections
amounted to "political activity." It also claimed that Golos received
foreign funding in the form of the 2012 Sakharov Freedom Award from the
Norwegian Helsinki Committee. Golos immediately returned the prize money. Its
appeal of the ruling was denied on June 14, and on June 25 the group was suspended for six months by the Justice Ministry.
*LGBT organization Coming
Out (St. Petersburg)
The gay-rights advocacy group was fined 500,000 rubles for receiving
funding from the Consulate of the Netherlands and the Embassy of Norway and
engaging in "political activity." During the trial, a group of
antigay activists was allowed to attend the hearings and applauded each time
the judges rejected the defense's motions. The group says it will appeal.
*Center for Civic Analysis and Independent Research (GRANI) (Perm)
Prosecutors accuse the group of seeking to influence public opinion on state
policies, including by drafting proposals to amend legislation governing NGOs
and participating in roundtables on political issues. On April 22, the group
was handed a notice of violations and ordered to register as "foreign
agent." The center refused to implement the order, prompting prosecutors
to refer the case to court. Court hearings are pending.